Magnetic lock



' SePt- 4, 1945- w. F. sTRouD Y 2,384,20-3

MAGNETIC Lock Filed May 25,'1944 ,I'lllll fig. 45 InYnfor:

Patented Sept. 4, 1945 MAGNETIC LOCK -William Felix Stroud, Humber Bay, Ontario,

Canada, assignor to ,Neptune Meters Limited,

Long Branch, Ontario,` Canada Y Application May 25, 1944, Serial No. 537,322

Y of a padlock constructed in Vaccordance with this 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in locks of the type in which a member connected with the latch or bolt is secured Iby pins or tumblers and said tumblers are operated to release the locked member through magnetic attraction and the principal objects of this invention are to devise a construction of lock which will present a multiplicity of combinations of locking elements, any of which will be practically impossible to operate to release the lock without the proper key.

A further object ls to devise a lock which will be extremely simple to operate so that the mere placing of the key in position will instantaneously release the lock.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel arrangement of a plurality of pins of magnetized steel Within` enclosed recesses in a block which are adapted to engage in locking contact with a member connected with the lockoperating mechanism to hold said locked mechanism inoperative, said pins being operated to release the lock-holding member Vlay-meansA of a key member containing a'selected arrangement of iron or steel inserts to which the magnetized pins will be attracted when the key is placed in position against the block containing' the closed orices housing the magnetied pins,Y the iron or steel inserts registering with such pin recesses in selected groups to operate the required pins y to free the locking-holding member.

A further important feature consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the magnetic pin-controlled member in its operative connection with the lock bar or spindle.

A still further feature f importance consists in the arrangement of a recessed cover extending over the block in which the magnetic locking pins are mounted to receive the key but to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the lock pins.

In the accompanying drawing Y Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a lock mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention shown applied to a door structure and illustrating the position of the parts when the door is unlocked.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken through the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1. l

Figure 4 is a part longitudinal vertical midsectional view of the pin-locking portion of the mechanism similar to Figure 1 showing the parts in the locked position.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal midgsectionalV View "of the handle is invention.

Figure 6 is a part plan sectional View taken on theline 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 'I is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the locking plate diverted in one direction to prevent the unlocking of the lock, y

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the locking plate diverted in a direction diierent to that illustrated in Figure '1.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the lock spin,- dle and locking plate.

In the pin type of lock where a plurality of divided pins are mounted ina rotatable barrel tlfe location of the division of the pins is deter'- mined by the edge contours of a key inserted into the barrel. Such type of lock is reasonably safe against tampering but persons skilled with locks can open this type.

The' immediate danger to unauthorized entry to a locked enclosure is through the loss of keys or the copying of same, and it is extremely desirable to provide a lock which is practically immune from improper entry and which is opened by a type of key which will be extremely dithcult to duplicate and impossible to duplicate ,unless it be in the possession ofthe party desiring to do so for a considerable'time, the key having no contours or visible conditions which may be duplicated.

In the accompanying to 4 I have shown an adaptation of my invention to a door lock of the type used on motor carsv In this construction I provide a flanged body I of part cylindrical form, the flange of which is adapted to be secured to the door 2. The outward end of the body I is formed with a cylindrical recess 3 in which is mounted the cylindrical end 4 of a handle 5. The handle is secured uponthe end of the lock spindle 6 which extends into a ldoor and is connected with the usual latch mechanism, a rocker arm 1 =being hereshown secured to the spindle, and engaging a plate 8 mounted on the twin pins 9, to which the latch I0 is Ysecured, the latch being held in its outward position by suitable compression springs I I`inounted on the pins 9. Y f

The end of the lock spindle 6 is preferably journalled in a tubular bracket I2 secured to the inner door plate I3, and a coil compression Vspring I4 is housed in the bracket I2 and holds the spindle in a position with the rocker 'arm 'l engaging the latch operating plate 8. When' the spindle is in this position the cylindrlcalfend 4 located adjacent to thelo'utward drawing, in AFigures 1- the block I8,thusholding,thefhandle i withthe recesses 123 to lockstheglol'ock. I8:`

Yv ent the operation of .the`lock.

magneticattraction for the pins a cylindrical bore I6 in the mernberr I. The upward side of the member I is flattened to intersect the cylindrical bore I6 and provides a flat? v horizontal surface I'I upon which a iiat plate I8 i is slida'bly mounted. ward end of the cylindrical extension I5.

The plate I8 is provided lon'its underside a'ndff'y intermediate of its length with a pin I9 fvhi'ch;

This plate engages the 1n-A extends into an annular gr0ove- 20f orme djin the spindle 6, so that when the handle and spindle move longtudinally the sliding on the surface I1. The upper surface of the plate I8` hasl formed therein a-.plurality of shallow,circular-relisses ZI which may be arranged k in Yrows grin anyfpredetermined pattern, organy predeterminedfnumber v which is prcvidedLwiih-a plurality' of cylindrical recesses 23 which arelpositioned to register .with recessed in the plate I Loos'ely mounted within the VrecessesZiiinv the block', 22 are pinsy 2 4 of a, highly magnetized metal. ,'Ifhe'se pinsQrest upon the-top .surface of..,the plate1l8 wllei'flhellock :is unlocked. That'is to s 'ay,` whenlthalocked partsare in a position sdfthjaton theturningof .the handle the latclf'iwilllbe operatedfto, openithe ydoor.v 1 l Upon VVthe pressing inrofjthe handle Y spindle 6 the block I8 is Y cau'se'dto slidejinirelaiioniothebiock 22 which .is heidstatipriary, and

vwhen the recesses -2 I` intheblock i3 move into register with therecessesQZS. in the b lopli 2 2, the magnetized pins drop finto the re cfes'ses in ,v ltsfnward position and'thej-,spindlefinposition vso that the.latch-operatingrocker arm is disenfgaged from the latclh mechanism. i The .latcli ythus remains locked.

One or more of themecesses in thesurface plate I8 moves with "it,

Arranged above the;platefl-is bldck of the mock la are deeper than the @there andy a shortV pin 18.', of vmagnet rnaterial ishouse'd 'in' I the-deep recess with its.top end. levelwthgthe top of the block so that theV bicckimayiqve freely in `the sliding .operation o fythe handleandione Y of the magnetized pins may- 'moveintey align- ;ment therewith', .concurrently `withV4 he block l being moved tobring its recesses -into' register flf,V when lthe block I8 isfinfthis position', anattempt is made to open the lockbyf-the use of a piece of iron or. steel or a spuridus key, thepin 'is'A will he u ftedwith the piiisfgi and wi111ihier- Acept the movement of: theiblock: I 8

- Mounted overthe block 22 is a cover'member is spacedfrorn the top key member 21 is to be inserted. This key member is made of a noni-magnetizable'material and has mounted therein insuitably selected places,

whichwill register with recesses 23 in the ,block Y V22,1blocks 2'1"'of ironor steel which will, form ja arranged immediately'.therebelow.

la when what and, @eine inwardlyis a 'central verticali? ,a portion ofthe; thiclgne When the key, provided with the required arrangement of metal inserts 21', is inserted into the recess 26 the pins, which it is desired to lift Qi't in the-locked position, andy thev spring II then forces thespindle outwardly, moving the plate 8 so that the surface recesses 2l therein move out of register with the magnetic pin recesses.

It Will be understood that the recesses 23 in ,theblock22 do not extend through to the top offjthfe block buta thin wall of the material of ,jwhicli l.the blockfivs` formed is interposed between the pin 'andthe'keyg but this does not interfere Withthe-trarsfer'ence of the magnet-ic flux.

i The arrangement of the cover 25 extending over the to-p but spaced from the block 22 prevents' persons attempting to tamper with tlielock from''placing metal bodies Vinccntact-'-withs@ the block .22,:Vandothe air, gap formed-:by the key recess is ysuch as to'fcompletelybreak the mag:- netic. flux i if ann attempt is made.- Outside :the

It .willbe' 'readilyunderstood that' the larrangevment of the'numbermf .pins in the b1ockf221eand Vthef'pattern' of vsame'urnay ybe f arranged: ini'fa very extensive Av'ariation'of combinationis, sotl'iat a very extensive vvariety of combinations may-be had withoutduplicatioh. :The sizes and spacing of pins Vlmay beV variedas also-`may-1the width'and length of the key-slotiandfthelkeyk In Ltl 1`e"forrn'E of th Figures 61 to 9 which illustrates ithe "adaptation 'o f the invention AtoFpa d l'ocl: frin; thlb'o'dy `-28-"of the padlock is substantially rectangular ihjir is provided Vu fil'hl'i.`= r'ectaI igil'lari` recessl 29 mediate' of"i ts"`width.

' 1 one f lthe side walls 1j is 'b o'red longitudinally to rec'eivei'the llong arm'i'Sof the Ush'apedha'ysp or bolt 3| ofthe locl'ard a lshort Il jor'e 32 inthe opposite side-"wallreceives thefree'end of the ha'sp. j An annular" engaged by atongue 3l rectangularblocl sslidablyarranged i `t 'file-SS'zSavm exlndlghrugha' '51951359 v 'livetallymeiigtd' :011i .the lipp'r fase Yof' the block'35 on a pivot 31`farrangednear"thefhottom @wie blCk., agplaie plate, .is 'round Vat the corners'raridis provided withajrianglllar vsl 1:3i1:ied tongue 39 extending from the edge oppo v site to'the pivot. Within thev nai ,cross harina of thai i; they psd groove 4I into' which the tonguel39 is adapted to enter, and afpair bf arigllllily arranged otch'es 42 are arranged'eiiheisiqehf the', entra grcve. 'I hese engagetheltonguel Sfwhen th Ylihreciff,A angular triangular re'ce'ss .plat ,v one of thewalls words; "it is shaliowrecess, and

r ihveniioiiiliusiried fin Y greife '33 ifimessage@Tais Y her Y of said recess is parallel with the adjacent side edge ofA the plate.

The plate is also shown with a pair of angularly disposed recesses 44 and 45 arranged diagonally either side of the centre recess 43.

A block 4B, which is tted into the rectangular opening or recess 29 in the body of the padlock, has formed therein a plurality of cylindrical recesses 41 which are adapted to 'register with the recesses 43, 44 and 45 respectively, and within the recesses 41 are arranged highly magnetized pins 48 which will drop into the recesses 43, 43 and 45 in the pivotal plate 38.

The cover 49 is provided with a key slot 53 in the underside, into which a key, formed of nonmagnetic material but having iron or steel plugs inset thereinto arranged opposite to certain of the recesses 41, is inserted, so that upon the insertion of the key certain of the locking pins may be lifted out and others left in position.

In order that the lock may be opened the key must, in magnetic co-operation with the locking pins, lift the pins out of the recesses 44 and 45, while the pin engaging the recess 43 remains down. By pulling out upon the hasp the long arm, which engages the tongue 34 of the block 35 which carries the plate 38, moves outwardly, and as the pin in the recess 43 isengagin'g the top corner of this recess the plate will move outwardly with the block and the tongue 39 will enter the V-groove 4|, thus allowing the block to move out far enough to allow the short end of the hasp to clear the holding recess when the hasp may then be swung on its pivot.

If however, a person attempting to open the lock without the proper key, pulls outwardly on the hasp it moves the block 35 and immediately upon the movement of the block 35 the pins, engaging the angularly disposed side walls of the recess 43 and the recesses 44 and 45, cause the plate to swing laterally, and the tongue 39 will be engaged by one of the lateral notches and hold the block from moving far enough to permit the hasp to clear the recess in the body.

If a plain piece of metal is inserted into the key slot and all the pins are raised and the hasp is pulled, the plate will swing on its pivot so that the tongue engages the notches at the other side of the centre groove 4l. This is effected by means of a spring 5I secured in the cross bar of the body which engages the rounded corner of the plate 38 and holds it snugly against the pins.

It will be understood that a great variety of patterned arrangements of pin recesses can be arranged in the swinging plate 38 with correspending arrangements of metal inserts in the key which will operate the pins properly to permit the unlocking of the hasp.

It will be understood that this arrangement of pivotal plate with recesses engaged by locking magnetic pins can be applied to a straight sliding bolt if desired.

A lock constructed according to the general principles herein disclosed can be varied to a considerable extent in detail construction without departing from the principal feature of locking by means of magnetized pins to be moved out of locking engagement by placing a key having metal inserts to attract the magnetized pins in any desired pattern.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a magnetic lock, the combination with a locking member, of a slidable and rotatable spindle adapted to be operated with a sliding movement into and out of operating relation with said locking member, a block slidably mounted and rotatably connected with said spindle and having a plurality of selectively arranged recesses in one face thereof, a fixed block having cylindrical recesses selectively arranged to register with recesses in said slidable block, magnetized pins slidably mounted in the recesses in said xed block and adapted to extend therefrom into the recesses in said slidable block to hold the spindle rotatably connected therewith out of operating engagement with the locking member, and a key having magnetic metal inserts to register with certain of said pin recesses and to operate said pins to release the slidable block and permit the slidable movement of the lock operating spindle.

2. In a magnetic lock, the combination with a body and a slidable lock bolt, of a block slidably mounted in said body and rotatably connected to said bolt, a member pivotally mounted on said block and having a projecting tongue and a plurality of surface recesses, a recess in said body adapted to receive said tongue upon the sliding of the block, magnetized pins slidably mounted in v said body to extend into the recesses in said pivotal member to control the swinging movement of said pivotal member, recesses arranged on either side of said tongue-receiving recess of a lesser depth than same and adapted to restrict the sliding movement of said block carrying the pivotal member and prevent the freeing of the lock bolt, and a having inserts of magnetic material arranged to control said magnetized pins to permit the unlocking of the lock bolt.

3. A lock as claimed in claim 2 in which the pivotal member is formed With diagonally arranged recesses and a triangular recess arranged therebetween to receive the ends of the magnetized pins to control the movement of the block connected to the lock bolt.

4. In a magnetic lock, the combination with a lock-operating mechanism, of a slidable member connected with the lock-operating member and having surface recesses selectively arranged and opening outwardly, a fixed block having recesses coinciding with the recesses in the slidable block and opening inwardly, a cover spaced from the outer side of said fixed block and forming a key recess and magnetic gap over said block, magnetized pins slidable in said block recesses, and a key member of non-magnetic material having inserts of magnetic material selectively arranged to attract selected magnetized pins to release said' slidable member.

WILLIAM FELIX STROUD.

key of non-magnetic material' 

